The University of Padua was founded in 1222 when a group of academics and students came from Bologna to Padua and is the second oldest and earliest university in Italy.
Advocating freedom of thought in work and education is one of the most important principles of the university. The slogan “Universa Universis Patavina Libertas” (Freedom of Padua is Universal for everyone) has been one of its distinguishing features.
The joint introduction of experimental methods and the theoretical teaching of these experimental methods marked the beginning of a golden age, and in the 16th and 17th centuries Padua became a home to people who changed the scientific and cultural history of humanity.
In addition to Andrea Vesalio, the founder of modern anatomy, Copernicus in astronomy and Galileo who observed the sky are a few of them. William Harvey, who is famous for describing blood circulation, studied in Padova and made his discoveries there.
And also in 1678, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia graduated from here and became the first woman in the world to receive a university degree.
The University of Padova (Unipd) also has the first university botanical garden in the world. It also hosts a permanent theatre built by Girolamo Fabrici d’Acquapendente.
The University is gradually expanding its fields of activities to include faculties of engineering, pharmacy and political science, along with the traditional faculties as law, medicine, arts, philosophy and sciences.
The University of Padova belongs to the Coimbra Group of 39 the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. This group also includes well-known universities as University of Cambridge and Oxford.
University of Padua (Unipd) Study Activities
The University of Padua receives support from more public and private funding organizations, promoting the highest quality research activities and actors in all scientific fields.
European funding for research projects in Padua has increased by 40% in the last three years, while 5.2% of the Italian public funding for scientific projects of national importance is granted to researchers at the University of Padua.
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28 projects are funded by the European Research Council (ERC). These are groundbreaking research projects led by scientists who have chosen Padua to carry out their outstanding research activities.
Unipd has more than 700 courses and numerous short-term specialization courses, 8 faculties, 32 departments and more than 20,000 professors.
Where is the University of Padua Located?
The University of Padua is located in the heart of North-East part of Italy, near the protected area of the Euganean Hills, a protected region and a smooth countryside.
The main Italian cities as Bologna, Florence, Rome and Milan are only a short train journey away from Padua and easy to reach. It is 30 minutes from Venice, one of the most visited cities in Italy, and very close to the beach canters and the Dolomites.
It is also in a beautiful area providing access to the UNESCO World Heritage sites, Lake Garda, the spa canters of Abano and Montegrotto Terme and art cities such as Vicenza.
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy between Venice and Milan
Padua is also very close to Verona, known for Palladio’s monuments, its amphitheater (Arena) and the setting of the world-famous Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet”.
Student Life in Padua | Università di Padova
Around 600,000 tourists visit Padua every year to see its art, architecture and museums. Padova is a rich, beautiful medieval city famous for its squares, old cobbled streets, art and culture.
Despite the city is small, it is very dynamic because of the high density of students and tourists. It is well connected by railways to the main Italian cities of Bologna, Florence, Rome, Milan and Venice and is close to international airports.
There are many places to visit in and outside the city for those studying at Università di Padova. The university also offers a career service to guide students and recent graduates in their transition from academia to the professional world.
Links have been established between the university and companies, private and public institutions and professional organisations to offer and promote internships as an opportunity to share knowledge and experience.
“Vetrina degli Stages” helps students and recent graduates to search for internship and training opportunities. While studying in Padua, you are also allowed to work part-time (20 hours/week) inside and outside the university. (Do not forget to check out our article “Making a Living as a Student in Italy” about this)
You can also benefit from the opportunity to visit other European countries with your Italian residence permit. Finally, you have the right to stay in Italy or another EU country for one year after receiving your degree.
You can also read about the topic in our articles “Residence Permit in Italy” and “Moving to Italy and Living in Italy“.
Top 10 Reasons to Study at the University of Padua
1. Multi-disciplinary and diverse courses
Padua is a university that offers a variety of comprehensive and constantly renewed courses. Therefore, studying at the University of Padua will add a lot to your life in every aspect.
2. Superior education quality
It is ranked among the leading universities of Italy for the high quality of teaching, providing students with a solid academic background and excellent education. Graduating from the University of Padua is an ambitious goal and a highly prestigious achievement.
3. A leading international university in research
It was ranked between 251 and 300 in 2021 Academic Rankings of World Universities, 101 to 200 in Impact Rankings 2020, and 101 to 125 in European Teaching Rankings 2019. It is also the best university for research quality in Italy in the first two reports by the country’s National Agency for University Evaluation. It is also one of the most exemplary universities in Europe.
4. Quality of Service
According to the Italian postgraduate survey conducted by Almalaurea, 9 out of 10 students are satisfied with their academic career and student life at the University of Padova.
5. One of the Oldest and Most Famous Universities in Europe
6. International Studies
Padua has a tradition of international cooperation. It participates in leading international studies, and conducts research and teaching projects involving students and lecturers from around the world.
7. Financial Incentives
The fees of the University of Padua appear to be quite competitive compared to other top European universities. It also provides a wide range of incentives for successful students or those experiencing financial difficulties.
8. A Student-centered Town
The University provides a unique learning environment, research centers and campuses are located tall around the city. Students make up 30% of the local population.
9. A Unique Setting
Padua combines history, culture and art with thriving businesses in every sector.
10. Strategic Position
Effective transportation links with major Italian and international cities mean the town is an excellent hub for business and leisure travelers.
Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy, one of the largest squares in Europe
University of Padua – Unipd World Rankings
- According to the World University Rankings of 2019-2020, it is between 201 and 250 in the world, 101 and 125 in Europe.
- QS 2019 World University Rankings placed the University in 249th. place
- In CWUR University Rankings (national rank) it is 2nd.
You can also visit our page about ” Top 500 Italian Universities “.
Departments of University of Padua
Undergraduate Programs in English
- Animal Care
- Medicine and Surgery
- Psychology
- Engineering
- Agricultural Technologies
Master’s Degrees in English
- Forest Science
- Italian Food and Wine
- Sustainable Agriculture
- biotechnologies
- Business Administration
- Economics and Finance
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- European and Global Studies
- Human Rights and Multi-level Governance
- Environmental Engineering
- ICT for Internet and Multimedia
- Mathematical Engineering
- Local Development
- Medical Biotechnologies
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies
- Medicine and Surgery (single-cycle)
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Clinical Neuropsychology
- Data Science
- Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Physics of Data
- Astrophysics and Cosmology
Doctorate Departments in English
- Astronomy
- Sciences of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering
- Geosciences
- Fusion Science and Engineering
- Information Engineering
- Management Engineering and Real Estate Economics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mechatronics and Product Innovation Engineering
- Molecular Sciences (Curriculum: Molecular Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences)
- Physics
- Science & Engineering of Materials and Nanostructures
- Space Sciences, Technologies and Measurements
- Statistical Science
- Psychological Sciences
- Animal and Food Science
- Biomedical Sciences
- Economics and Management
- Brain, Mind and Computer Science
- Land, Environment, Resources and Health
Admission Requirements of University of Padua | Università degli studi di Padova
Undergraduate degree program requirements
- Completion of the 12 years of education
- Having exceeded the minimum score in the university entrance exam
- B2 level language proficiency on IELTS or TOEFL exams is required for programs taught in English
- Programs taught in Italian also require a B2 level language qualification (CELI and CILS exams)
- To complete student visa, passport issuance and other consular procedures
Postgraduate and Master’s Programs requirements
- To have completed any undergraduate degree program
- B2 language proficiency is required for programs taught in English or in Italian
- Master’s or doctoral (PhD) programs must be compatible with the obtained undergraduate program
- Meeting the prerequisites of programs having prerequisites
- All other necessary paperwork such as student visa, passport and translation of bachelor’s degree certificate
Faculty of Medicine at University of Padua
At the University of Padua, the undergraduate courses in medicine and surgery focus on conveying basic medical values to students at a very early stage through clinical experience, teaching them more in-depth medical sciences.
This teaching method enables students to quickly learn clinical and basic disease concepts and how they can be treated. They also learn to communicate effectively with other students, staff and patients.
The training lasts for 6 years and it is compulsory to take the IMAT exam for admission.
University of Padua Tuition Fees
Fees at the University of Padua are calculated based on family income and the student’s country of origin. Fees vary between 150 € and 3500 €.
Italy is one of the countries offering the most scholarship opportunities in Europe. Scholarship opportunities vary according to the university and department students will apply to. In Italy, which consists of regions, each region provides scholarships according to the rules determined internally. These scholarships vary according to family income, success rates and personal income of students.
Is there an English preparatory program at the University of Padua?
There is no English preparatory program at the University of Padua; students who wish to study in English must have a valid B2 level language certificate on IELTS, TOEFL or similar exams.
The same applies to students who are willing to study at the University of Padua in a master’s degree or Erasmus program. In other words, they must certify that they have a B2 English language level.
In Italian programs, students have an opportunity to take preparatory education for 9 months period. However, they should successfully complete the CELI and CILS exams beforehand.
Dormitory and Accommodation Opportunities in Padua
The University of Padua offers accommodation for around 1600 students in 14 dormitories located in the city center or near the university buildings. Four university guesthouses are also available for short-term stays.
Apart from these, the university has made agreements with many colleges for accommodation services. Students can also stay in college dormitories if they wish. The university has created a platform for those looking for accommodation. Here, each candidate can benefit from accommodation options suitable to their budget.
For more detailed information, you can also check our article about “Accommodation in Italy“.
Pava Education offers professional consultation service for students who want to step into a successful career in this field with a university education in Italy. If you want to study at university in Italy, you can fill out our application form right now. Our expert consultants will contact you as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Padua paid?
If we look from the perspective of students who are looking for a private university or free university in Italy, the University of Padua is quite in the middle with tuition fees between 800 and 1000 Euros per year. In other words, the University of Padua is paid, with an average annual tuition fee of close to 1000 euros. Prices are not very changeable between areas.
How can I enter the University of Padua?
In order to enter the University of Padua, if Italian is the language of choice, a valid score of B2 level must be obtained from the CELI and CILS exams. Likewise, if programs in English is to be studied, a valid score of B2 level must be obtained from IELTS, TOEFL and equivalent exams. On the other hand, if you are going to study in one of the undergraduate programs of the University of Padua, you must also pass the relevant TOLC exam.
How much does it cost to study medicine or engineering in Padua?
In order to study medicine in Padua, an average tuition fee of 1000 euros should be paid to the university annually. However, the fees and living expenses at the medical school can be easily covered thanks to the scholarship opportunities that almost every student in Italy might benefit from.
Is it difficult to study a university or master’s degree in Padova?
The University of Padua is one of the prestigious and oldest universities of Italy that offers a flexible education in all fields. Students can easily prepare lessons and at the same time evaluate job opportunities while studying at the University, which provides education in English covering almost every field.
Is it cheaper to study in Germany or Padua?
University fees in Germany vary between 1000 and 1500 euros on the other hand at the University of Padua the highest tuition fee is 1000 euros. In terms of living costs, the average amount for Germany is between 1000 and 1200 euros, but in Padova it is possible to make living for 700 to 900 euros monthly. It is possible to receive scholarships in the range of 5000 to 8000 euros per year, while studying at the University of Padua.
Is it cheaper to study in the Netherlands or in Padua?
The average tuition fees of universities in the Netherlands are between 8,000 and 15,000 euros annually, which are up to 10 times more compared to the fees at the University of Padua. Living expenses in the Netherlands are between 1000 and 1500 euros, while in Padua the average amount is 800 euros, but living costs in Italy can vary according to the cities.
Which programs can I study at the University of Padua?
You can study in the following departments, in undergraduate programs at the University of Padua;
- Medicine
- Psychology
- Veterinary medicine
- Civil engineering
- Law
- Economy
- Political sciences
- Social sciences
What are the master’s degree prices at the University of Padua?
Prices of Master’s degree programs at the University of Padua are between 2000 and 2500 euros per year. There are many kind of programs from technology to science, from engineering to art within the University of Padua, which has more comprehensive master’s degree programs than undergraduate ones. Italy offers low-cost master’s degrees compared to other countries.
